Into the Drowning Deep (Rolling in the Deep #1) by Mira Grant - Restarting May 5th 2020

[❀ Crystal ✿ -]

Seven years ago, the Atargatis set off on a voyage to the Mariana Trench to film a “mockumentary” bringing to life ancient sea creatures of legend. It was lost at sea with all hands. Some have called it a hoax; others have called it a maritime tragedy.

Now, a new crew has been assembled. But this time they’re not out to entertain. Some seek to validate their life’s work. Some seek the greatest hunt of all. Some seek the truth. But for the ambitious young scientist Victoria Stewart this is a voyage to uncover the fate of the sister she lost.

Whatever the truth may be, it will only be found below the waves. But the secrets of the deep come with a price.

[❀ Crystal ✿ -]

22% (view spoiler)[So they’re going back out to the Trench where Tory’s sister and entire crew went missing. They hear something down below that appears to be mimicking sounds from the surface, sounds that could be a lure for prey. How creepy. I’m worried about these dolphins that they plan on using to scout. These mermaids sound more like monsters and were able to clear one ship of all life onc ebefore, I’d be too nervous to go lol (hide spoiler)]

[Farren]

Same, I could never go! I'm listening to this on audio and got to I think 28%. I'm enjoying the way the story is told and already liking it loads more than her Wayward Children series, but not a lot has happened yet. The narrator is great, but it is quite easy to get confused with all of the perspective shifts on audio.

(view spoiler)[ I think the most interesting thing so far is how the mermaids are learning to mimic their prey! It sounds like they're just down there practicing 😳 (hide spoiler)]

[❀ Crystal ✿ -]

46% (view spoiler)[I was wondering why we were meeting so many characters when inevitably they would be dying. And it’s begun. I’m sad about Ray. I really liked him, especially standing up for Olivia and all. But he saved her as his last act and that’s how she’ll remember him. Worried about these dolphins and now I’m literally worried about everyone else. At least Heather died instantly from the pressure, these ppl may b eaten alive. (hide spoiler)]

[❀ Crystal ✿ -]

Farren wrote: "Same, I could never go! I'm listening to this on audio and got to I think 28%. I'm enjoying the way the story is told and already liking it loads more than her Wayward Children series, but not a lo..."

Yeah the first quarter was definitely more filler and introduction. But damn if the story didn’t pick up immediately once they are on the water.
Ugh I have to put this down to finish something else and I keep telling myself one more chapter lol. So worried, scared but also so damn curious..... (view spoiler)[The mimicking, omg how scary though. And the way they are plotting and planning to get food, the humans 😱😱😱. Not to mention they can climb like they have suction cups on their hands. Ahhhh I’d be hiding in a freezer about now lol (hide spoiler)]

[Farren]

I had to pause this one for another book and totally agree, it was almost painful to do so (especially since I'm not even enjoying the other book!)

[❀ Crystal ✿ -]

Well in that case know you’re not alone lol I honestly was not expecting to get into this one so much. Now that the action has started I’m all in....

[❀ Crystal ✿ -]

67% (view spoiler)[ I’m literally heartbroken about the dolphins. And from their POV was even worse. I almost died when Luis was taunting one, taking pictures and I’m so glad he got saved but is it all for nothing? At this point I’m wondering if anyone will survive or if video records and an empty ship will be all that’s left of them? Another casualty like the last time. (hide spoiler)]
73%(view spoiler)[The irony that the safest place on that ship is probably the tank the siren is being held in. I just don't understand why no one is acting scared or really trying to be in any cautious. I would be literally curled in a ball hiding in the ventilation or something. And then the damn shutters don't work when everyone thinks they will smh. No one's safe and even worse now they autopsied, if they find out they'll b mad and most certainly want revenge. Ahhhh their all going to be eaten and I can't help but feel bad for and even worry for the people I don't like. (hide spoiler)]

[❀ Crystal ✿ -]

89% (view spoiler)[OMFG she went over the side. I'm having a heart attack!!! (hide spoiler)]

[Farren]

47%

(view spoiler)[ It is a lot of people to keep up with, especially on audio. As soon as Heather said she was going in the water I'm thinking noooo don't do it! because I found her character the most interesting of the bunch. I agree that she probably ended up with an easier death than most of the characters are likely to have.

I wonder why the author set the current timeline of the story just a few years in the future. I thought maybe it was to explain some technology that doesn't exist yet, but I haven't come across any reason for it so far (hide spoiler)]

[❀ Crystal ✿ -]

Finished(view spoiler)[Since Tory fell of the boat until the end I have been a tense mess. I was honestly so worried everyone was going to die. I wish the epilogue was more descriptive. Sure this private wealthy person gets the Siren but I wonder what they plan to do with it. Its almost unfortunate since Hallie was able to communicate with it. Like there's so much more she can do. I wonder what each of the remaining scientists lives will be like now that they have irrefutable proof. And more than that does everyone realize how Tory saved them. I mean had she not realized what was under the boat and how to defeat it, they all would have been fed to that thing. I wonder how they are viewed in the public and how their science/research excels. Basically I loved the SHIT out of this book and I am so glad I picked it up. I also appreciate the fact that they weren't actually mermaids at all but rather sirens. Equally as horrifying lol. (hide spoiler)]

[❀ Crystal ✿ -]

Farren wrote: "47%

It is a lot of people to keep up with, especially on audio. As soon as Heather said she was going in the water I'm thinking noooo don't do it! because I found her character the most interesti..."

(view spoiler)[ I still can't believe how quickly things picked up once Heather was in the water. When they started swarming her I was impressed with her calmness. But I was indeed surprised by her being killed. (hide spoiler)]

[Maddie]

I have just changed the title as the BR is still ongoing :)

[Farren]

74%

(view spoiler)[ These people keep going out on the deck knowing that those things can easily climb up the ship, like don't you have any sense of self-preservation?!
I did really enjoy the autopsy scene, I would have never guessed that any of them were actually male. But I also feel like maybe the mermaids are too evolved, you know? Like they have an organ that will help them do absolutely everything they could need to defeat every type of prey. So far their only weakness is a shotgun, and if it wasn't for Luis being an idiot and distracting the mermaid I'm sure it could have avoided being shot somehow.
I found it strange that Olivia, who is autistic, is the only character that's had a natural reaction to the death of a loved one. The excuse that they haven't been grieving much because they are so smart and care more about science isn't sitting well with me.
And the fact that some people suspected Tori of killing Jason (despite the fact that he was bleeding from all orifices) instead of the murderous mermaids was so nonsensical... I think that should have been edited out altogether. (hide spoiler)]

I should be finishing up the audiobook tomorrow, and I'm excited to see which characters (if any) survive and make it home. And if they have been making sure all of their evidence is backed up this time!

[❀ Crystal ✿ -]

Farren wrote: "74%

These people keep going out on the deck knowing that those things can easily climb up the ship, like don't you have any sense of self-preservation?!
I did really enjoy the autopsy scene, I w..."

(view spoiler)[I agree with everything u said. But most importantly why were these supposedly super intelligent people just walking around the ship, leaving their doors open like they were vacationing and not under attack my. The autopsy scene was interesting especially just seeing all that stuff in their hair lol. But if you found that interesting just wait, you’re in for it 😜 (hide spoiler)]

[Farren]

❀ Crystal ✿ - wrote: "89% [spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[ I almost died! I'm like watch the girl who went into the water be the only survivor 🙄 and well... lol I'm glad most of the remaining characters survived as well, but I can't say I was sad to see Michi go. At first I felt bad that she died due to someone else's negligence, but then I remembered that her and Jacques paid big money to hunt critically endangered species and thought F that, this is your karma. (hide spoiler)]

❀ Crystal ✿ - wrote: "Finished[spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[ I'm thinking the author left it a bit open for a sequel. I remembered seeing that this was a series but apparently it only has a prequel novel out.... I'm still going to read that but ya know, I want a proper sequel too! Dr. Toth was driving me nuts by correcting everyone that these were sirens, not mermaids, but it's all mythology until they find evidence. So maybe "mermaids" don't even exist and all of the folklore is based on sightings of these sirens and they're actually just the same creatures?

The siren queen was a cool reveal, and it honestly kind of weirded me out that all of the sirens coming to the surface were male for some reason. Maybe it's the implication that their bodies mimic human females to lure in horny sailors? Ick. But I was a bit disappointed that all they had to do to save themselves was turn on the lights. Like LIGHTS CAMERA ACTION was literally their ultimate solution lol

I googled around and can't find any information on whether she has a sequel planned or not, but I feel like we need more answers so I'm hoping we get one. But I'm definitely going to read the prequel novel soon, then probably reread this one (no audio) in case I missed anything. (hide spoiler)]

I have her book Feed checked out from the library right now too, which I'm pretty excited for since I definitely prefer her horror titles over her general fantasy. And I like how she does them all almost documentary style.

[❀ Crystal ✿ -]

Farren wrote: "❀ Crystal ✿ - wrote: "89% [spoilers removed]"

I don't know how I missed your reply Farren, sorry about that...

(view spoiler)[I was definitely not hurt when Michi got killed, I'm not a fan of hunting for sport myself and honestly they were so careless to human life it was disturbing. All they thought of was their payday and how they would essentially be famous being the first ones to slay a 'Mermaid.' But ha, jokes on them cause we know how that all turned out for them lol

The siren queen was really coll and honestly I was confused at first when she was under the boat talking about a light. Later on when she explained it light bulbs went on over my head but never once did I think they were feeding a giant creature Queen, I just thought they had some crazy unknown sea life or coral that lit up.... I agree with the turning on the lights thing, it seemed weird and almost too easy. And I NEED TO KNOW WHAT HAPPENS to the one they captured. I mean in many ways he's the reason some of them are even alive and I can't see him having a happy future. I almost feel bad for them, us finding proof is more of a threat to their species than anything.

I am bummed there won't be another book, I was all in on this one and I really enjoyed it. I would love to see an after, once they are revealed to the world. Although I imagine I wouldn't like the human outcome mostly because more people like the hunters would see it as a game and a sport. These things are just doing what's natural for them and in fact if we didn't steal all their food and pollute their waters, I wonder if siren sightings would have been less. (hide spoiler)]

Feel free to let me know how you enjoy the prequel and Feed. I have that on my TBR and now that I know this author wrote it I really do want to read it eventually.

[Farren]

Seanan McGuire tends to continue series after they were supposed to end so maybe one day she will get around to writing a sequel. I started Feed on audio and it was pretty fun but nowhere near as interesting and gripping as this one. I had to put it on pause because I had other library books expiring soon though.

[❀ Crystal ✿ -]

Well that stinks, that you’re not liking it that much. Maybe this was her masterpiece and everything else won’t measure up.

[Aly]

Starting now!

[Heather]

So will I Aly!

[Aly]

Zone 1 (view spoiler)[ The premise is good and I am really intrigued as to what they will find. A little bored at this point, but when they get to the trench I think it will pick up. (hide spoiler)]

[Aly]

Okay really? Ch 7 (view spoiler)[ the sisters are Holly, Hallie, and Heather? Why? That's so confusing (hide spoiler)]

[Aly]

Zone 2 (view spoiler)[ Oh, poor Heather. To know you're going to die all alone in the ocean would be so terrible. At least we got to see the mermaids and know they're real. (hide spoiler)]

[Aly]

Zone 3 (view spoiler)[ Now we've lost Ray. I wonder how many people will live? I feel really bad that they're sending the dolphins out. I hope they're okay, it's not fair to do that to them. This is okay so far but I'm not loving it. I need more action! (hide spoiler)]

[Aly]

ch 19 (view spoiler)[NOOOOOOO. How could you kill off the dolphins!! I am so sad right now (hide spoiler)]

[Aly]

Zone 4 (view spoiler)[ They're sirens, well that makes sense. They mimic their prey to lure them in and even their males look like human females so they're more appealing. This is playing out so slowly. Please give me more action! (hide spoiler)]

[Aly]

Zone 5 (view spoiler)[ Okay, now we're talking! The sirens have attacked and people are dying. The sirens are pretty cool and so smart, I don't even blame them for attacking because that's what they do. I wonder if Tory will make it? (hide spoiler)]

[Aly]

Finished (view spoiler)[ I wish we got more information about the female siren down below. Overall, this was okay but I didn't really get into it. I think it could have been shorter and had less characters. (hide spoiler)]

[Claire]

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Date changed. Restarting February 24th 2020. Happy Reading ☺

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[Claire]

End of Part 1
(view spoiler)[This is a really nice change of pace from the usual scifi I read which is either focused on space/futuristic tech or ideas like paradoxes/time travel/multiverse theory etc.

I'm a little afraid of the open ocean actually, so this will be fun :D (hide spoiler)]

[Claire]

End of Part 2
(view spoiler)[Heather nooooooo :<

Originally was not expecting her to die so soon but the second she saw that first mermaid I knew she was a goner.

This entire section felt like the beginning of a slasher movie, woo~ (hide spoiler)]

[Claire]

End of Part 4
(view spoiler)[About time for things to start getting serious! This is reminding me a lot of the film The Thing specifically, a bunch of scientists stranded in a facility and being hunted by intelligent ancient creatures with a talent for mimicry + a lot of dissection and science-y stuff. (hide spoiler)]

[Claire]

Finished!
(view spoiler)[Well that ending went super fast! We had a surprisingly low number of deaths of named characters, the deaths were pretty predictable too, I knew that the hunters would die the second they were introduced and once the ex-boyfriend showed up on the boat I had a feeling he was doomed too.

I really enjoyed this book overall, some parts felt a bit repetitive and the ending felt a bit rushed but it was a fun read, I do enjoy a good scifi horror story. (hide spoiler)]

[HeatherH]

Claire wrote: "End of Part 1
This is a really nice change of pace from the usual scifi I read which is either focused on space/futuristic tech or ideas like paradoxes/time travel/multiverse theory etc.

I'm a lit..."

Part one
(view spoiler)[ I'm really liking how different this is for me as well. Even the mermaid type of stuff I've read has been more 'little mermad-disney-esque' and not dark and creepy like this! (hide spoiler)]

[HeatherH]

Claire wrote: "End of Part 2
(view spoiler)[Heather nooooooo :<

Originally was not expecting her to die so soon but the second she saw that first mermaid I knew she was a goner.

This entire section felt like the beginning of ..." (hide spoiler)]

Part 2
(view spoiler)[ OMG I DID NOT EXPECT HEATHER TO DIE ALREADY!! I keep thinking about this whole scene and it is messing with my head/heart. To be her twin and watching that happen. To know each other is on the opposite side of monitoring devices but not be able to say good bye or hear/see each other in those final moments.

What a scary way to go. This definitely has all the horror movie feels reminiscent of Jaws/47 Meters/etc and I am so here for it. (hide spoiler)]

Did you read the prequel novella before this? I own it but did not yet but apparently it's the story of the original crew that went out and was killed.

[HeatherH]

Claire wrote: "End of Part 4
[spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[ So, confession time.. I've never seen The Thing! But if it is reminiscent of this, I'm going to have to watch it soon! I'm loving this story. Glad things are picking up and getting a bit brutal but even the slower beginning, I just adore her writing style. (hide spoiler)]

[HeatherH]

finished!
(view spoiler)[ The ending did feel a little rushed but overall I liked this one a lot! I don't think I've read much sci-fi horror but definitely interested in finding more!

There were too many surviving MC's as you mentioned and the deaths were pretty easy to predict. But I did enjoy how nasty the deaths that happened were!

I did this on audio and the narration was great but there were times that the number of characters being told from was a bit confusing during the first third or so before I got them all down. That's really my only complaint, and I think had I physically read it it may not have been so confusing. (hide spoiler)]

[Claire]

HeatherH wrote: "finished!
[spoiler removed]."

(view spoiler)[Yes they were nice and gross! Deaths that include people basically dissolving are SO disgusting.

And yeah it constantly jumped between a ton of POVs, I can see why it would be confusing on audiobook. (hide spoiler)]

I have not read the original novella but I would like to, I enjoyed this book overall and want to see where it all started :D

[HeatherH]

@Claire
So I kinda listened to the novella real quick tonight haha! It was only a couple hours long and I owned it so figured why not.. In case you get to it soon:
(view spoiler)[ I actually think it was more 'horror-ish' than the full book. Something about the sirens mimicking the people before killing them was just so *shivers* perfectly creepy! The pacing felt really well done too for a novella! (hide spoiler)]

[Karen]

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Date changed. Restarting May 5th 2020. Happy Reading ☺

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[Karen]

Sorry to be a bit late starting this one. How are you finding it so far?

[Karen]

Have got a bit behind, but am chipping away with this. Opening immediately got me curious - but it seems like a read to really have to focus on.

[Emma☀️]

Zone 1
(view spoiler)[The first few pages hooked me. I can imagine this being a horror movie. My inner conspiracy theorist in me is kinda freaked out. Only 5% of the ocean is explored - mermaids or anything similar to mermaids could still be out there. And I'm glad the author decided to make it more scientific, it makes it more believable lol (hide spoiler)]

[Emma☀️]

Jen wrote: "totally, I found the opening super intriguing, got me hooked (ha fish puns, mermaids...) right away.

[spoilers removed]"

Yeah! (view spoiler)[I also thought it was going to be mostly fantasy too. I loved the mermaid descriptions. I kind of imagined them looking like the mermaids from Harry Potter but with eel tails (hide spoiler)]

[Karen]

Up to p93 - zone 1. Fairly quickly establishes what I assume will be our key players and their motivation for being part of this experience. Intriguing start, though it’s rather slow in terms of plot.

[Karen]

Zone two focuses on the water/initial stages of the journey. Horrible sense of inevitability to this, and by the end I’m admitting to worrying about what is going to happen when the sun goes down!

[Karen]

Zone three...talk about cranking up the pace! I don’t think I could make myself pause here - it’s a lot more engaging than I thought it would be. The events/discussion forces us to confront some rather unpalatable truths about mankind.

[Karen]

Zone four is a welcome break from recent events. (view spoiler)[ Telling that we’re getting to know the characters a little - wonder which, if any, will survive this process. (hide spoiler)]

[Karen]

Zone five. Can’t wait to see what you make of this when you get to it. This is so well constructed. The subject isn’t necessarily my thing, but the characters have become people you’re invested in and there’s a sense of plucky underdog to this that make me want them to succeed.